Refrigerator appliance with illuminated dispenser tubes and related dispenser assembly

ABSTRACT

A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator appliance may generally include a dispenser tube extending within a recessed area defined by the dispenser assembly. The dispenser tube may be in fluid communication with a fluid source. In addition, the dispenser assembly may include a light pipe positioned on the dispenser tube and a light source configured to direct light towards the light pipe, wherein the light directed from the light source is configured to illuminate the light pipe.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances and, more particularly, to an illuminated dispenser tube(s) for a refrigerator appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dispensers for liquids and/or ice are typically provided in refrigeration appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers and vending machines. In certain of such appliances, both hot and cold water may be provided. Moreover, in some appliances, coffee or other beverages may be dispensed as well. Often, these dispensers include some sort of recess or compartment into which a container or vessel, such as a cup, is placed to receive the dispensed substance.

In many instances, lighting may be provided for the dispenser compartment to assist the user in placing the vessel so as to receive the dispensed substance. Typically, such lighting is an incandescent bulb placed in a top portion of the compartment. While such a bulb will generally illuminate the compartment sufficiently, the bulb does not provide much information to a user.

Accordingly, an improved lighting arrangement for a dispenser assembly of a refrigerator appliance that enhances user experience of the dispenser assembly would be welcomed in the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a refrigerator appliance including a cabinet defining a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage and a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet. The door may be configured for permitting selective access to the chilled chamber of the cabinet. In addition, the refrigerator appliance may include a dispenser assembly associated with the door. The dispenser assembly may include a dispenser tube extending within a recessed area defined by the dispenser assembly. The dispenser tube may be in fluid communication with a fluid source. The dispenser assembly may also include a light pipe positioned on the dispenser tube and a light source configured to direct light towards the light pipe, wherein the light directed from the light source is configured to illuminate the light pipe.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a dispenser assembly for a refrigerator appliance. The dispenser assembly may generally include a dispenser tube extending within a recessed area defined by the dispenser assembly. The dispenser tube may be in fluid communication with a fluid source. In addition, the dispenser assembly may include a light pipe positioned on the dispenser tube and a light source configured to direct light towards the light pipe, wherein the light directed from the light source is configured to illuminate the light pipe.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front, elevation view of one embodiment of a refrigerator appliance in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial, perspective view of the refrigerator appliance shown in FIG. 1, particularly illustrating a dispenser assembly of the refrigerator appliance;

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified, partial cross-sectional view of the dispenser assembly shown in FIG. 2, particularly illustrating one embodiment of a light pipe configuration that may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter to illuminate a portion of a dispenser tube of the dispenser assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates a similar cross-sectional view to that shown in FIG. 3, particularly illustrating another embodiment of a light pipe configuration that may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter to illuminate a portion of a dispenser tube of the dispenser assembly; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a similar cross-sectional view to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, particularly illustrating yet another embodiment of a light pipe configuration that may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter to illuminate a portion of a dispenser tube of the dispenser assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to an illuminated dispenser tube(s) for a refrigerator appliance. Specifically, in several embodiments, a light pipe(s) may be positioned on and/or around the dispenser tube(s) forming part of the dispenser assembly of a refrigerator appliance. In addition, the dispenser assembly may include a light source(s) configured to direct light towards the light pipe(s) associated with each dispenser tube. As a result, the light generated by the light source(s) may be received by the light pipe(s) and transmitted along its length, thereby illuminating the light pipe. Such illumination of the light pipe may provide a visual indicator of the location of the dispenser tube within the dispenser assembly. Accordingly, a user of the dispenser assembly may quickly and easily locate a vessel (e.g., a cup) underneath the dispenser tube for receiving dispensed substances, such as ice, water, coffee and/or any other liquid.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a front, elevation view of one embodiment of a refrigerator appliance 100 in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown, the refrigerator appliance 100 includes a housing or cabinet 102. The cabinet 102 may generally be configured to extend between an upper portion 104 and a lower portion 106 along a vertical direction V and may also extend between a first side portion 108 and a second side portion 110 along a lateral direction L. As is generally understood, the cabinet 102 may define one or more chilled chambers, such as a fresh food compartment 112 positioned adjacent to the upper portion 104 of the cabinet 102 and a freezer compartment 114 arranged at the lower portion 106 of the cabinet 102. In addition, the cabinet 102 may also define a mechanical compartment (not shown) for receipt of a sealed cooling system for cooling the fresh food and freezer compartments 112,114.

Moreover, the refrigerator appliance 100 may also include one or more doors for permitting selective access to the chilled chamber(s) 112, 114. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, refrigerator doors 116 may be rotatably hinged to an edge of the cabinet 102 for accessing the fresh food compartment 112. Similarly, a freezer door 118 may be arranged below the refrigerator doors 116 for accessing the freezer compartment 114. For example, the freezer door 118 may be mounted to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably coupled within the freezer compartment 114.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the refrigerator appliance 100 is configured as a bottom mount refrigerator appliance. However, it should be appreciated that the refrigerator appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is simply provided as one example of a suitable refrigerator configuration within which the present subject matter be advantageously utilized. For example, in other embodiments, the present subject matter may be utilized with any other suitable refrigerator configuration, such as a side-by-side style refrigerator configuration or a top mount refrigerator configuration.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator appliance 100 may also include a dispenser assembly 120 for dispensing liquids and/or solids, such as water and/or ice. In general, the dispenser assembly 120 may include a dispenser 122 positioned on an exterior portion of the refrigerator appliance 100, such as by mounting the dispenser 122 on the exterior of one of the refrigerator doors 116. As will be described below, the dispenser 122 may define a recessed area 124 within which cups or other vessels may be inserted in order to receive the dispensed liquids and/or solids. For example, in several embodiments, the dispenser assembly 120 may include one or more outlets or dispenser tubes extending within the recessed area 124 to allow ice, chilled water, and/or heated water to be dispensed therefrom.

Additionally, the dispenser assembly 120 may also include a control or user interface panel 126 facing outwardly from the assembly 120. In general, the user interface panel 126 may include one or more user interface elements (e.g., buttons, knobs, etc.) to allow a user to control the mode of operation of the dispenser assembly 120. For example, the user interface elements may allow the user to select a desired solid/liquid to be dispensed from the dispenser assembly 120, such as by selecting between crushed or whole ice and/or between heated or chilled water.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a partial, perspective view of the refrigerator appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, particularly illustrating the dispenser assembly 120 of the refrigerator appliance 100. As shown, the dispenser assembly 120 may define a recessed area 124 generally positioned along the exterior of one of the doors of the refrigerator appliance 100, such as along the exterior of one of the refrigerator doors 116. For example, the recessed area 124 may be defined by a bottom wall 130, a back wall 132, a top wall 134 and first and second side walls 136, 138 of the dispenser 122.

Additionally, as indicated above, one or more outlets or dispenser tubes may be housed within the recessed area 124. For example, in several embodiments, the dispenser assembly 120 may include an ice outlet 140 for dispensing ice and separate water outlets 142, 144 for dispensing chilled and heated water. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the dispenser assembly 120 includes both a chilled water dispenser tube 142 for dispensing chilled water and a heated water dispenser tube 144 for dispensing heated water (or any other suitable heated liquid, such as coffee).

To allow for ice and/or water to be dispensed, each respective outlet/tube may be connected to a suitable ice/water source. For example, the ice outlet 140 may be connected to an ice maker (not shown) of the refrigerator appliance 100. Similarly, the chilled and heated dispenser tubes 142, 144 may be in fluid communication with a suitable fluid or water source(s) 146. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, water provided from a water source 146 may be directed via a suitable valve or joint 148 (e.g., a tee-joint) through a heated water conduit 150 in fluid communication with the heated water dispenser tube 144 and a chilled water conduit 152 in fluid communication with the chilled water dispenser 142. In such an embodiment, the heated water conduit 150 may also be in fluid communication with a heating device 154 (e.g., a heating element contained within a heating chamber of a vacuum insulated container) for heating the water directed through the conduit 150. As a result, water flowing through the heated water conduit 150 may be directed through the heating device 154 and may then be subsequently dispensed from the dispenser assembly 120 via the heated water dispenser tube 144.

Moreover, in several embodiments, the dispenser assembly 120 may also include one or more actuatable paddles for accessing the ice and/or water dispensable from the assembly 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the dispenser assembly 120 may include a chilled water paddle 156 extending below the chilled water dispenser tube 142 for accessing chilled water and a heated water paddle 158 extending below the heated water dispenser tube 144 for accessing heated water. Similarly, the dispenser assembly 120 may include an ice paddle 160 extending below the ice outlet 140 for accessing ice. In such embodiments, a user may be allowed to urge a vessel (e.g., a cup) against the chilled water paddle 156, the heated water paddle 158, and/or ice paddle 160 to initiate a flow of chilled water, heated water, and/or ice into the vessel, respectively.

Alternatively, the dispenser assembly 120 may be configured without any actuatable paddles. For example, in one embodiment, one or more of the interface elements included within the user interface panel 126 may correspond to a button(s) for accessing ice/water to be dispensed, such as by including a chilled water dispensing button (not labeled), an ice-dispensing button (not labeled) and/or a heated water dispensing button (not labeled) for selecting between chilled water, heated water and/or ice, respectively. In another embodiment, the dispenser assembly 120 may include one or more sensors configured to detect when a vessel is positioned adjacent to one or more of the outlets 140, 142, 144. In such an embodiment, the dispenser assembly 120 may be configured to automatically dispense ice/water upon detection of the vessel.

It should be appreciated that, although the dispenser assembly 120 shown in FIG. 2 includes three separate dispenser outlets 140, 142, 144, the assembly 120 may generally include any number of dispenser outlets. For example, in one embodiment, the dispenser assembly 120 may only include an ice outlet and a single liquid dispenser tube. In such an embodiment, the liquid dispenser tube may, for instance, be configured to dispense both chilled and heated water and/or other liquids (e.g., by using a suitable valve arrangement). In another embodiment, the dispenser assembly 120 may only include a single outlet for dispensing both solids and liquids.

Referring still to FIG. 2, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, the dispenser assembly 120 may further include one or more light pipes 170,172 for transmitting light around and/or adjacent to one or both of the dispenser tubes 142, 144. Specifically, in several embodiments, a first light pipe 170 may be positioned on the chilled water dispenser tube 142 and a second light pipe 172 may be positioned on the heated water dispenser tube 144. As will be described below, the dispenser assembly 120 may also include one or more light sources 176 for directing light towards each light pipe 170, 172. As a result, when the light source(s) 176 associated with one of the light pipes 170, 172 is activated or otherwise turned on, the light pipe 170, 172 may be illuminated, thereby providing a visual indication of the position of the corresponding dispenser tube 142, 144.

It should be appreciated that, although FIG. 2 illustrates the dispenser assembly 120 as including a light pipe 170, 172 associated with each dispenser tube 142, 144, the assembly 120 may, in other embodiments, only include a light pipe associated with one of the dispenser tubes 142, 144, such as by only including the first light pipe 170 or the second light pipe 170. Moreover, in addition to including a light pipe(s) 170, 172 associated with one or both of the dispenser tubes 142, 144, or as an alternative thereto, the dispenser assembly 120 may include a light pipe (not shown) associated with the ice outlet 140.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that, as used herein, the term “light pipe” generally refers to any object that is capable of receiving light from a light source and transmitting the light around all or a portion the object. For instance, various transparent and semi-transparent plastic materials (e.g., polycarbonate) and optics-grade materials are available that are capable of transmitting light received from a light source through all a portion of the material(s) for the purpose of illumination. Such material(s) may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter to form the disclosed light pipes. Similarly, examples of commercially available light pipes include the light pipes or light guides provided by 3M under the trade names Precision Lighting Element and Light Pipe.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a simplified, cross-sectional view of a portion of the recessed area 124 of the dispenser assembly 120 shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a suitable light pipe configuration that may be utilized to illuminate a portion of the dispenser tubes 170, 172 of the disclosed dispenser assembly 120. For purposes of describing the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 (as well as the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), the light pipe configuration will be described with reference to the heated water dispenser tube 144 shown in FIG. 2. However, it should be appreciated that the same or a similar configuration may also be utilized for the light pipe associated with the chilled water dispenser tube 142 (i.e., the first light pipe 170).

As shown in FIG. 3, the light pipe 172 may, in several embodiments, correspond to a light pipe ring configured to extend or wrap around the outer perimeter of the dispenser tube 144. For example, the light pipe 172 may correspond to a continuous ring of a suitable material (e.g., a plastic material, such as polycarbonate) that has been overmolded or otherwise formed onto the dispenser tube 144. Alternatively, the light pipe 172 may correspond to a pre-formed ring that is configured to be separately installed onto the dispenser tube 144.

Additionally, as indicated above, the dispenser assembly 120 may also include a light source 176 configured to project light in the direction of the light pipe 172. In one embodiment, the light source 176 may correspond to one or more high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, in other embodiments, the light source 176 may correspond to any other suitable light emitting device that is capable of directing light towards the light pipe 172.

In several embodiments, the light source 176 may be configured to be positioned above the light pipe 172. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the light source 172 may be mounted within and/or through the top wall 134 of the dispenser 122 at a location behind the dispenser tube 144 (e.g., at a location between the dispenser tube 144 and the back wall 132 (FIG. 2) of the dispenser 122). As a result, light generated by the light source 176 may be directed downward onto the backside of the light pipe 172. The light may then be transmitted around the circumference of the ring, thereby causing the entire light pipe 172 to be illuminated. However, in other embodiments, the light source 176 may be mounted at any other suitable position relative to the light pipe 172 that allows light from the light source 176 to be directed towards the light pipe 172.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light source 176 may, in one embodiment, be spaced apart from the light pipe 172 such that a significant gap is defined between the light source 176 and the light pipe 172. In such an embodiment, it may be desirable to configure the light source 176 to have a relatively narrow light field so as to allow the light generated by the light source 176 to be focused onto the light pipe 172. However, in other embodiments, the light source 176 may be positioned immediately adjacent to the light pipe 172 (e.g., by directly contacting the light pipe 172) such that light generated by the light source is transmitted directly into the light pipe 172.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another embodiment of a suitable light pipe configuration is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown, the light pipe 172 includes both a light pipe ring 180 extending around the outer perimeter of the dispenser tube 144 and a pipe leader section 182 extending outwardly from the light pipe ring 180 along at least a portion of an exposed length 184 of the dispenser tube 144. In such an embodiment, the light source 176 may be configured to direct light towards the leader section 182 of the light pipe 172. The light received by the leader section 182 may then be transmitted through both the leader section 182 and the light pipe ring 180, thereby illuminating the light pipe 180.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a further embodiment of a suitable light pipe configuration is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown, the light pipe 172 corresponds to an elongated pipe section extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the exposed length 184 of the dispenser tube 144. As a result, light received from the light source 176 may be transmitted lengthwise along the length of the elongated pipe section, thereby illuminating the light pipe 172.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, as an alternative to spacing the light source 176 apart from the light pipe 172, the light source 176 may be positioned directly adjacent to the light pipe 172. Specifically, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the light source 176 may be mounted vertically within the top wall 134 of the dispenser 122 such that the light source 176 is immediately adjacent to and/or contacts the light pipe 172, thereby allowing the light generated by the light source 176 to be transmitted directly into the light pipe 172 without having to span any distance.

It should be appreciated that the specific light pipe configurations shown in FIGS. 3-5 are simply provided as examples of suitable configurations that may be utilized to illuminate a dispenser tube contained within a dispenser assembly of a refrigerator appliance. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other variations of the light pipe 172 shown and described herein may also be utilized within the scope of the present subject matter.

It should also be appreciated that, in several embodiments, each light source 176 may be configured to illuminate its respective light pipe in one or more colors. In such embodiments, it may be desirable to select the color in which a given light pipe is to be illuminated based on temperature of the liquid(s) being dispensed from the corresponding dispenser tube(s). For example, in one embodiment, the light pipe 170 associated with the chilled water dispenser tube 142 may be illuminated in a blue color to indicate the cooler temperature of the liquid being dispensed whereas the light pipe 172 associated with the heated water dispenser tube 144 may be illuminated in a red color to indicate the warmer temperature of the liquid being dispensed.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the light source(s) 176 described herein may be configured to illuminate its respective light pipe(s) 172 continuously. Alternatively, the light source(s) 176 may only be configured to illuminate its respective light pipe(s) 172 during certain times and/or based on certain trigger events. For example, in one embodiment, the light source 176 configured to direct light towards the light pipe 172 associated with the heated water dispenser tube 144 may be configured to be activated or otherwise turned on only when heated water (or any other suitable heating liquid) is ready to be dispensed from the dispenser tube 144.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator appliance, comprising: a cabinet defining a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage; a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet and configured for permitting selective access to the chilled chamber of the cabinet; and a dispenser assembly associated with the door, the dispenser assembly comprising: a dispenser tube extending within a recessed area defined by the dispenser assembly, the dispenser tube being in fluid communication with a fluid source; a light pipe positioned on the dispenser tube; and a light source configured to direct light towards the light pipe, wherein the light directed from the light source is configured to illuminate the light pipe.
 2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the light pipe comprises a light pipe ring configured to extend around an outer perimeter of the dispenser tube.
 3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 2, wherein the light pipe further comprises a leader section extending from the light pipe ring, the light source being configured to direct light towards the leader section.
 4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the light pipe corresponds to an elongated pipe section configured to extend lengthwise along at least a portion of a length of the dispenser tube.
 5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the light source corresponds to at least one light-emitting diode.
 6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the light source is spaced apart from the light pipe.
 7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the light source is positioned directly adjacent to the light pipe.
 8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein a color in which the light pipe is illuminated is selected based on whether the fluid source corresponds to at least one of a heated fluid source or a chilled fluid source.
 9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 8, wherein the color corresponds to a red color for the heated fluid source and a blue color for the chilled fluid source.
 10. A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator appliance, the dispenser assembly comprising: a dispenser tube extending within a recessed area defined by the dispenser assembly, the dispenser tube being in fluid communication with a fluid source; a light pipe positioned on the dispenser tube; and a light source configured to direct light towards the light pipe, wherein the light directed from the light source is configured to illuminate the light pipe.
 11. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the light pipe comprises a light pipe ring configured to extend around an outer perimeter of the dispenser tube.
 12. The dispenser assembly of claim 11, wherein the light pipe further comprises a leader section extending from the light pipe ring, the light source being configured to direct light towards the leader section.
 13. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the light pipe corresponds to an elongated pipe section configured to extend lengthwise along at least a portion of a length of the dispenser tube.
 14. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the light source corresponds to at least one light-emitting diode.
 15. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the light source is spaced apart from the light pipe.
 16. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the light source is positioned directly adjacent to the light pipe.
 17. The dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein a color in which the light pipe is illuminated is selected based on whether the fluid source corresponds to at least one of a hot fluid source or a cold fluid source.
 18. The dispenser assembly of claim 17, wherein the color corresponds to a red color for the heated fluid source and a blue color for the chilled fluid source 